Rush to Support Neil Peart Memorial in St. Catharines With Proceeds From ‘Fifty-Something’ Tour
Photo by PolyGram, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Rush co-founders Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are returning to the stage in 2026 with a tour that honors their band’s music and the life of drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. The run, titled the Fifty-Something tour, also carries a community goal, as part of the proceeds will help fund a memorial for Peart in his hometown of St. Catharines, Ontario.
The shows mark the first time Lee and Lifeson have toured together in eleven years. Their last major outing ended on August 1, 2015, at the Forum in Los Angeles. The new tour begins at the same venue, creating a meaningful link between past and present for longtime listeners.
Support for a Lasting Tribute
According to the St. Catharines Standard, fundraising for the Neil Peart Memorial in Lakeside Park is back on track. Organizers expect the project to reach its $1-million goal, helped by the band’s financial support and renewed public interest tied to the tour.
A portion of ticket proceeds from the Fifty-Something shows will go toward the memorial. City leaders believe the added attention will bring in more donations, helping move the effort closer to completion and giving fans a place to reflect on Peart’s life and work.
What Fans Can Expect
The tour opens June 7, 2026, at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles and includes stops across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Major cities on the schedule include Mexico City, Chicago, New York, Toronto, Montreal, Boston, and Vancouver, along with several others through the end of the year.
These “evening with” concerts will feature two sets each night. Lee and Lifeson plan to draw from a catalog of 35 songs, mixing well-known tracks with deeper cuts. Each performance will have a different setlist, giving returning attendees a fresh experience.
View this post on Instagram
A New Drummer on Stage
For this tour, Lee and Lifeson will be joined by German drummer, composer, and producer Anika Nilles. She has built a strong reputation through solo releases and has performed in more than 60 shows as Jeff Beck’s drummer.
Her role adds a new voice to the live lineup while keeping the focus on Rush’s music. The concerts are designed to celebrate the band’s history while also pointing toward the future, with Peart’s memory at the heart of the project and a clear link between the stage and the memorial effort in St. Catharines.
